What is the preferred method for destroying CDs/DVDs?
When temporary records reach the end of their retention period, or if damage occurs to media while in storage, you will want to ensure that the data are irretrievable. Using industrial shredders or disintegrators is the preferred method of destruction. Shredding or disintegrating the media will ensure that no confidential, classified, personally identifiable, or privacy-protected information is left unprotected or available for unauthorized use. Shredders should meet NSA specifications for High Security Disintegrators (NSA/CSS 02-02) and Optical Media Destruction Devices (NSA/CSS 04-02). Some agencies have special requirements for media destruction so you should check with your RM and IT departments before recycling or destroying media. A number of commercial vendors provide recycling services for optical media. NARA’s Federal Records Center Program provides this service as well; see Secure Media Shredding at http://www.archives.gov/frc/media-shredding.html.
